Our thoughts are with the country and people of Ukraine, hoping a peaceful end is near
On Today’s Agenda:
US Soccer Federation Announces Agreement with Women’s National Team
Reports State Leo Messi Will Leave PSG for MLS’s Inter Miami in 2023
J-Cole Signs In the Canadian Elite Basketball League
USWNT Receives Equal Pay
US Soccer Federation Announces Agreement with Women’s National Team
By AJ Hewish
It has finally happened! The United States Soccer Federation announced earlier this week that it has finally reached an agreed-upon deal to pay the United States Women’s National Soccer team equally to its men’s side.
Since the first foundation of United States national teams, the previous payment terms saw a pay gap that led to female players being paid less. Despite their amazing success and being dubbed one of the best women’s national teams in the world over the past few decades, the game remained.
Previously in February 2022, the Federation settled with the Women’s National team by paying a lump sum of $22 million to female players, as a form of back payment for the historical gender pay gap between the two teams. In addition, another $2 million was placed into a fund for the USWNT players' “post-career goals and charitable efforts, with each player able to apply for up to $50,000.” according to ESPN reports.
This new collective bargaining agreement will run through 2028 and provide equalization in World Cup prize money for both national teams, an agreement that gives both national teams equal pay for their international play. As result, despite revenue differences between the Women’s and Men’s World Cup, the U.S. Soccer Federation will pay both teams equal amounts. Previously, it saw the MNT earn more, despite only qualifying for their first world cup in 12 years, earlier this winter.
Further details on the collective bargaining agreement and face sheet can be found here.
A long battle for equality, led by many of the players and the Women’s National Team Players Association has finally come to an equal end, paving the way for future equality in all women’s sports. An inspiration to all young female players in the United States.
Becky Sauerbrunn, the President of the players association and a player on the USWNT said, “We hope that this agreement and its historic achievements in not only providing for equal pay but also in improving the training and playing environment for national team players will similarly serve as the foundation for continued growth of women's soccer both in the United States and abroad.”
This monumental agreement is the first of potentially a global ripple effect that can lead to equal pay and recognition of the immense quality, skill, and entertainment of Women’s sports, inspiring the future players of female sports worldwide.
Messi In Miami
Reports State Leo Messi Will Leave PSG for MLS’s Inter Miami in 2023
By Caleb Gilligan
For the last 15 years, the football world has been dominated by two men, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite most fans debating heavily on which player is better, it would be difficult to find someone who doesn’t think both players aren’t some of the best the sport has ever seen. Their incredible scoring rates, individual achievements, and team trophies won speak for themselves. 12 of the last 13 Ballon d'Or, an award by the French magazine French Football for the best footballer of the year, has gone to either Messi or Ronaldo. Unfortunately, we may be seeing the end of an era.
Despite scoring almost 20 goals in 30 Premier League games in a lacklustre Manchester United squad, many agree that Cristiano Ronaldo is showing signs of slowing down for the first time in his career. With Messi’s 11 goals and 13 assists in his first 33 appearances with PSG, the same could be said for Messi. Although both players are having fantastic seasons in their respective leagues, it’s not quite the standards that we’ve become used to for both these superstars. With Ronaldo being 37 and Messi turning 35 in June, retirement could be coming around the corner.
Last summer, Ronaldo returned to the club where he won his first trophies, Manchester United, for a two-year contract. Although the first season at United didn’t go as planned, Ronaldo appeared to be content with his return, despite the challenges. It would be a surprise to see him leave before the end of his contract. When he does eventually depart England, most football fans see him returning to his boyhood club Sporting Lisbon or making his way over to the MLS where he can sign an enormous contract and earn millions through brand deals in the North American market which is desperate for sports superstars. For now, that is all speculation.
However, the story is different for Messi. Despite winning Ligue 1, PSG’s season has been a disappointment following the Round of 16 loss to Real Madrid in this year’s UEFA Champions League campaign. Although Messi seems to have enjoyed his time in Paris, it’s not quite the same feeling as Ronaldo returning to Manchester. Messi was forced out of Barcelona due to financial restrictions placed on the club after going into billions of debt. With one year left on his contract with PSG, most fans and insiders see him leaving the club at the end of next season. A return to Barcelona isn’t out of the question, certainly not for Messi who has stated his desire to return to the club someday. However, reports have now come out that Messi is eying a move to David Beckham’s MLS club, Inter Miami in 2023. The report did not include any salary details but did mention that Messi would acquire 35% of Inter Miami shares.
Beckham’s football project has seen its ups and downs in its brief, 3-year history. Despite finishing 19th and 20th in their first two MLS seasons, Inter Miami has moved forward by signing stars such as Gonzalo Higuaín and Blaise Matuidi, and head coach Phil Neville. Furthermore, they recently had a lease agreement approved to build a new, 25,000 seat stadium in Miami.
Although the reports were denied by Messi’s representatives, the deal is still an option for the GOAT and only time will determine where Messi decides to play his final years in football.
What Comes After ‘The Off-Season’
J-Cole Signs In the Canadian Elite Basketball League
By Hiral Patel
We’ve seen celebrities courtside, in ownership suites, and even playing in all-star celebrity games - but we have never seen something like this in our lifetime. J-Cole. Jermaine. Cole. The man who went double platinum with no features and is regarded by many as one of the best rappers in the game right now, has signed with the Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
The Scarborough Shooting Stars are one of two expansion teams heading into the 2022 CEBL season (including the Montreal Alliance and Newfoundland Growlers), and have made a splash with yesterday’s announcement that they signed J-Cole. The news broke on Twitter, with Shams Chariana being one of the first to report it - and the reactions poured in quickly.
Thousands of people flocked to the Shooting Stars’ ticketing website, which was only on-sale with season tickets, and users had to wait in queues with over 3000 people ahead of them just to see available inventory. While the Shooting Stars still have hundreds of season tickets left, one can only expect to see the site crash multiple times when single game tickets are released.
With the excitement of this announcement also comes a lot of questions. How many games will J-Cole play? J-Cole made headlines just over a year ago when he signed in the Basketball Africa League (though he left the league after 3 games). With three new teams, the CEBL is certaining on pace to make its biggest splash yet in the 2022 season. Though J-Cole’s time in the league may be short, it is critical for the league to be able to make a lasting impact on all the new eyez it will be attracting heading into May 26th’s season opener. The league and team announcement felt underwhelming with respect to the gravity of J-Cole’s celebrity status and brand as a rapper and basketball fan.
He debuted with ‘The Sideline Story’, and now Cole World takes on the courts of Scarborough. Jermaine’s Dream(ville) continues.